Cracked Plaster Fixes

Two great ideas: Replace plaster with drywall or use reinforcement washers.

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Product Ideas

Home repair expert Henry Harrison shares a couple of ideas for replacing cracked plaster with some shiny new drywall and using plaster washers to shore up cracks without replacing plaster. On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a three.

Materials and Tools:

scoring knife
putty knife
broom
vacuum cleaner
tape measure
pencil
utility knife
straight edge
power drill
dimpler attachment
scissors
drywall mud knife
drywall mud pan
wood boring drill bit
joint tape
joint compound
drywall sheets
plaster washers

Figure A

Steps:

1. Take scoring knife and score seams of wall (figure A).

2. Next use the putty knife to pry plaster off the wall (figure B).

3. Clean wall thoroughly using broom and vacuum cleaner.

Figure C

4. Measure wall that needs to be covered and mark location of studs on the baseboard and top trim (figure C). Transfer measurements to piece of drywall using a pencil. Take a utility knife and straight edge to score a line. Snap drywall, then score it from backside.

Figure E

5. Fit drywall pieces and attach using a drill with a special dimpler attachment that countersinks drywall screws (figure D). Avoid using a manual screwdriver as there's a higher risk of breaking the drywall paper with a hand screwdriver. Apply joint tape along seams between drywall sections and use a wide putty knife to spread joint compound (or "mud") over seams and screw holes (figure E).

Figure F

6. Plaster washers (figure F) are another option for dealing with cracks and this technique does not require replacing the plaster. Use the power drill to probe the wall next to cracks and find wood behind the plaster.

Figure G

7. Create an indentation with the wood boring drill bit so the plaster washers sit flush with the wall (figure G). Insert plaster washers, trying to alternate them on opposite sides of the crack.

Figure H

8. Cover washers and cracks with joint compound (figure H), then skim coat the entire area with compound. Continue to strategically place washers to shore up walls.